Personal vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser

ABSTRACT

A vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser includes a base and angled tank floor. A lower end of a coil support tube is configured as a connector to a battery housing and an upper end forms a central air passage. A second air slot communicates with a first air slot in the base. A heating coil within the coil support tube is adjacent at least one opening, and a porous wick surrounds the heating coil. A tank cap forms a sealed fluid tank for holding vaping fluid. When suction is applied, air is drawn upward into the coil support tube through the porous wick and draws botanical extract contained within the sealed fluid tank through the coil support tube into the porous wick for vaporization. The tank cap has a fill hole. A drop tip is secured onto the tank cap and covers the plug to prevent refill.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This is a continuation application based upon U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/299,489 filed Mar. 12, 2019, the disclosure which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to personal vaporizers, and more particularly,this invention relates to a personal vaporizer that may be used as avaping device or aromatherapy diffuser to deliver a vaping fluid orbotanical extract for vaping and/or diffusion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Personal vaporizers, such as electronic cigarettes, vaping or vapedevices, and commercially known atomizers, cartomizers and clearomizers,have become very popular in the last few years. Many of these devicesoperate as a battery-powered vaporizer that includes a mouth piece, andin one design, a rebuildable device or deck, a juice or e-liquid that isvaporized, and a heating element or similar atomizer, which is activatedby a switch. The heating element is typically a heating coil and heatsand vaporizes the vaping juice. A wicking material helps draw the juiceor liquid onto the coil such as from a well or fluid tank that holds thejuice. In some devices, the user manually depresses a button on the sideof the housing or at the end or bottom of the device to close the switchand actuate a contact button or “firing pin” or other contact device tocomplete the circuit between the battery and the atomizer.

The vaporizer designs currently in use vary and recent designmodifications include mechanical “mods,” for example, that may have arebuildable atomizer deck that allows a user to assemble or “build” thewick and coil themselves, instead of using off-the-shelf atomizer“heads.” These types of devices are often termed a rebuildable drippingatomizer (RDA), or sometimes referred to as a “dripper.” Experiencedusers of these designs enjoy building their atomizers because they canchoose a specific configuration and electrical resistance of their coil,and thus, pick their flavor and the amount of aerosolized vapor producedby the electronic cigarette.

There are other devices commercially known as atomizers, cartomizers andclearomizers that may also screw on a battery housing or power supply todeliver the E-juice or E-liquid as a vaping fluid to be atomized in avapor form. Those skilled in the art recognize atomizers as typicallyhaving a small capacity for those that prefer dripping and allow easyswitching between different flavors of juices. Many have a heating coilon the bottom and a metal mesh on the top of the coil, but others mayuse as silica wick. The cartomizers, on the other hand, sometimes have apolyfill wrapped around a heating coil that soaks the vaping fluid andallows for a longer vape time compared to an atomizer. They sometimeshave a larger cylindrical tank. The clearomizers are usually cylindricaland have clear polycarbonate plastic or Pyrex glass tank as a fluid tankso that the user may see the level of vaping fluid or E-juice inside theclearomizer as the vaping device. The vapor fluid is delivered to aheating coil by the silica wick. Some of these designs may have aheating coil with longer wicks and others have a bottom placed heatingcoil with short wicks that allow for easier wick saturation. Some modelsare rebuildable with replaceable coils.

In another design variation, different vaping devices may be regulatedor unregulated “mods.” The unregulated mods do not contain a circuitboard for regulating power flow through the device. An example is amechanical mod, or a series of parallel box mods without a display orvariable voltage and wattage, and sometimes semi-mechanical mods. Aregulated mod, on the other hand, contains a circuit board or a chip orprocessor to regulate the current and sometimes voltage. Devices thathave a variable voltage or wattage setting are considered regulateddevices. Regulated devices typically have increased safety, ease of use,digital display, and other benefits.

With the rise of many users becoming more health conscious and desiringmedicinal or botanical extracts such as cannabinoids, there is a needfor improved vaping devices as vaporizers that can deliver botanicalextracts in an efficient, safe manner, and even as single use,disposable devices, which would be especially useful with medicinalproducts, cannabinoids and other botanical extracts. There are designconsiderations that must be taken into consideration since the vapingfluids from a botanical extract, such as derived from cannabis, is verythick or viscous compared to a traditional vaping fluid. These thickervaping fluids from botanical extracts, for example, do not flow aseasily as a traditional vaping fluid. If a thicker vaping fluid is used,it often settles in juice tanks or fluid reservoirs having planarconfigured bottom floors or surfaces and tends to accumulate against 90°corners, making the last remnants of the juice inaccessible for use.With very expensive botanical extracts as a vaping fluid, such as acannabinoid, it is necessary to use the entire stored botanical extract,i.e., every drop contained in the reservoir, since there is such a highcost of producing that specialized vaping mix.

Another drawback of many conventional vaping devices as vaporizers iswhen they are used with botanical extracts, those extracts may besubject to oxidation. Because almost all vape devices are easilyrefillable, if a very expensive botanical extract is stored within thejuice tank or reservoir for a period of time, it may oxidize over timeand be unusable. Also, a botanical extract as a vaping fluid oftenrequires higher temperatures to vaporize the extract, as compared to themore traditional vaping fluids. Additionally, because many vapingdevices as vaporizers are refillable, they can be messy to refill, andoften there is some spillage of the vaping fluid, which is impracticalif the vaping fluid is formed from an expensive botanical extract suchas a cannabinoid. Thus, because most known vaping devices as vaporizersare refillable and not sealed against oxidation, the use of such devicescould create problems where an expensive botanical extract forming thevaping fluid could be subject to oxidation or spilled, and thus, wasted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

A vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser includes a base having an outersurface and conical upper surface defining an angled tank floor. Thebase includes a central orifice and at least one first air slotextending from the outer surface into the central orifice below theangled tank floor. A coil support tube is received within the centralorifice of the base and has a lower end extending below the base andconfigured as a connector to connect to a battery housing. A contact pinis carried at the connector. An upper end extends above the base andforms a central air passage. The coil support tube has at least oneopening formed in the side adjacent the angled tank floor and at least asecond air slot below the angled tank floor and communicating with theat least first air slot in the base.

A heating coil is received within the coil support tube adjacent the atleast one opening, and a porous wick surrounds the heating coil. A leadconnects the heating coil and the contact pin. A tank cap is receivedover the base and sealed thereto and encloses the coil support tube as ashell forming a sealed fluid tank for holding vaping fluid. The tank caphas at least one third air slot formed below the angled tank floor andcommunicates with the at least one first and second air slots.

The tank cap has an upper surface and a central vapor outlet having anupper end extending from the upper surface and a lower end that connectsto the upper end of the coil support tube in sealed engagement. Uponsuction applied at the upper end of the outlet, air is drawn through theat least first, second and third air slots upward into the coil supporttube through the porous wick and drawing vaping fluid contained withinthe sealed fluid tank through the at least one opening in the coilsupport tube into the porous wick for vaporization by the heating coiland discharge from the outlet within the tank cap. The tank cap has afill hole within the upper surface to allow filling of the sealed fluidtank with a vaping fluid and a plug secured into the fill hole. A driptip is secured onto the tank cap and covers the plug.

In an example, the vaping fluid comprises a botanical extract. Theangled tank floor may be configured to assist gravity feeding of thevaping fluid from the sealed tank to the porous wick and adjacent theheating coil to transfer heat to the vaping fluid. The drip tip may besecured onto the tank cap and covers the plug secured within the fillhole to prevent refill of the sealed fluid tank with a vaping fluid. Theheating coil may comprise a ceramic heating coil. The heating coil maycomprise a mesh heating coil. The porous wick may comprise a cottonwick.

In another example, the sealed fluid tank may have a capacity of 0.3milliliters to 8.0 milliliters, and the heating coil may have a 0.11 ohmto 2.1 ohm resistance. The cylindrical base, coil support tube, tank capand drip tip are formed of a plastic material. The connector at thelower end of the coil support tube may comprise a 510 connector toconnect to a battery housing of a vaping mod device. An O-ring may bepositioned between the base and tank cap to prevent leakage of vapingfluid therebetween. An O-ring may be positioned between the base andcoil support tube to prevent leakage of vaping fluid therebetween. Thesealed fluid tank when filled with a vaping fluid may create a lowpressure air pocket that retains the vaping fluid within the sealedfluid tank until a user draws air through the central passage formed bythe upper end of the coil support tube and outlet of the tank cap tocreate a lower air pressure in the central passage than in the sealedfluid tank and allow vaping fluid to flow into the porous wick andcentral air passage. The drip tip may comprise permanent securement ontothe tank cap. The tank cap may comprise multiple sections, including anupper section and a lower section, wherein the lower section retains theupper section against the cylindrical base. The coil support tube mayinclude multiple sections, including upper and lower sections.

In yet another example, a single use, disposable vaporizer andaromatherapy diffuser for botanical extracts may include a cylindricalbase having an outer surface and conical upper surface defining anangled tank floor. The cylindrical base may have a central orifice andat least one first air slot extending from the outer surface into thecentral orifice below the angled tank floor. A coil support tube isreceived within the central orifice of the cylindrical base and has alower end extending below the cylindrical base and configured as aconnector to connect to a battery housing. A contact pin is carried atthe connector. An upper end extends above the cylindrical base and formsa central air passage. The coil support tube has at least one openingformed in the side adjacent the angled tank floor and at least a secondair slot below the angled tank floor and communicating with the at leastfirst air slot in the cylindrical base.

A 0.11 ohm to 2.1 ohm resistance ceramic or mesh heating coil isreceived within the coil support tube adjacent the at least one opening.A cylindrical porous wick surrounds the ceramic or mesh heating coil. Alead connects the ceramic or mesh heating coil and the contact pin. Atank cap is received over the cylindrical base and sealed thereto andenclosing the coil support tube as a shell forming a sealed fluid tankhaving a capacity of 0.3 milliliters to 8.0 milliliters for holding thebotanical extract.

The tank cap has at least one third air slot formed below the angledtank floor and communicating with the at least one first and second airslots. The tank cap has an upper surface and a central vapor outletformed as an outlet tube having an upper end extending from the uppersurface and a lower end that connects to the upper end of the coilsupport tube in sealed engagement. Upon suction applied at the upper endof the outlet tube, air is drawn through the at least first, second andthird air slots upward into the coil support tube through thecylindrical porous wick and drawing botanical extract contained withinthe sealed fluid tank through the at least one opening in the coilsupport tube into the porous wick for vaporization of the botanicalextract by the ceramic or mesh heating coil and discharge from theoutlet tube within the tank cap. The tank cap has a fill hole within theupper surface to allow filling of the sealed fluid tank with a botanicalextract and a plug secured into the fill hole. A drip tip is securedonto the tank cap and is unremovable and covers the plug secured withinthe fill hole to prevent removal of the plug and refill of the sealedfluid tank with a botanical extract.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description of the invention, whichfollows when considered in light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser,also referred to as the vaporizer, connected to a battery housing as aregulated mod device in accordance with a non-limiting example.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the vaporizer of FIG. 1 looking in thedirection of the connector.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the vaporizer of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the vaporizer of FIG. 1 with the drip tipremoved, showing the plug secured in the fill hole and showing the upperend of the outlet.

FIG. 5 is an exploded assembly view showing the components of thevaporizer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the base shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the base shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the base shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 an isometric view of the coil support tube shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the plug shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is a bottom isometric view of the drip tip shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is a top isometric view of the drip tip shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 is an isometric sectional view of the vaporizer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a front sectional view of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a side sectional view of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of another aspect of the vaporizer.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the vaporizer shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the vaporizer taken along line 18-18 ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of the vaporizer of FIG. 3 showingadditional details and a slidable ring that regulates air flow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a vaporizer andaromatherapy diffuser assembly, which also may be referred to as a “mod”device generally at 30, which includes two components as the batteryhousing, also referred to as the “mod” housing and generally shown at34, and the vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser connected to the batteryhousing 34 and indicated generally at 50, and hereinafter also referredto generally as the vaporizer. The vaporizer 50 may also be termed avaping device and used for personal vaping, but also diffusion of vapingfluid or botanical extracts, for example, without a user drawing airthrough the device as with conventional vaping devices, but by allowingvaping fluid or botanical extract to diffuse outward from the devicewhen a heating coil is activated. Several essential oils could bediffused to create a customer aroma with multiple therapeutic benefitsin an example. Essential oils could be diffused as a fine vaporthroughout the air so it can be absorbed gently in the body.

The battery housing 34 is configured as a box mod and with the vaporizer50 connected thereto is a regulated device, with the battery housingcontaining a circuit board or chip illustrated at 36, within the brokenside wall image section, and at least one internal battery 38 containedwithin the battery housing for providing power to the chip or circuitboard and the vaporizer 50. The mod housing 34 may include a display 40and a switch 42 that is operative when depressed, for example, tocomplete the electrical circuit to operate the vaporizer 50. Thisregulated device will work with the vaporizer 50 at a general wattage ofabout 10 watts to 100 watts, for example, and the display 40 could beinteractive as a user interface to regulate the wattage and sometimesvoltage. The regulated device is a safer device than unregulateddevices, and the regulated device typically will not cause batterydamage, and in worse case scenarios that may occur with unregulateddevices, a battery explosion. Also, the regulated device is bettersuited for operation and vaping with botanical extracts, for example,more viscous and expensive botanical extracts such as derived fromcannabis products.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the vaporizer 50 includes a connector 52 andcontact pin 54 carried at the connector that connects to the batteryhousing 34, i.e., the mod housing as shown in FIG. 1. As will beexplained in greater detail below, the vaporizer includes a tank cap 60received over a base 64 that carries a coil support tube 68 having theconnector 52 at the end and with the coil support tube 68 shownextending vertically in FIGS. 3 and 13. The tank cap 60 is secured tothe base 64, permanently in an example, to form a sealed fluid tank 71(FIG. 13), such as for botanical extracts.

Although the tank cap 60 is shown as preferably in this example assubstantially cylindrically configured, it should be understood that itcould be any configuration or shape, such as oval, rectangular, square,octagonal and other shapes. The base 64 is preferably circularconfigured as illustrated, but also could be other shapes depending onthe design options of those skilled in the art. For purposes ofdescription, the base 64 will be referred to hereinafter as the circularbase as illustrated, but with the understanding it could be any shape.

A drip tip 70 is secured onto the upper surface 72 of the tank cap, andis removed in the view of FIG. 4, which shows the top portion of thetank cap 60 as a substantially planar upper surface 72 and having acentral vapor outlet 74, which in the preferred embodiment as part of anoutlet 78 in this example, and having an upper end extending from theupper surface 72 of the tank cap 60. In the illustrated example, theoutlet 78 is formed as an outlet tube, but could be many differentshapes, such as rectangular, square, oval, circular, octagonal or othershapes. For purposes of description, the outlet 78 is referred to hereinas the outlet tube. The drip tip 70 is illustrated as circular, but italso could be many different shapes, including square, rectangular,oval, octagonal or other shape. One configuration that may be preferredby those skilled in the art besides the circular configuration is a“whistle tip” configuration, such as evident on some e-cigarette styledevices.

The tank cap 60 includes a fill hole 80 and a plug 82 secured into thefill hole as better shown in FIGS. 13-15. In this embodiment, the sealedfluid tank 71 that is formed by the tank cap 60 and other components aswill be explained in greater detail below, is permanently sealed to be asingle use and disposable vaporizer 50 for use with botanical extracts.The drip tip 70 may be secured permanently onto the tank cap 60 andcovers the plug 82 in a sealed engagement so that the sealed fluid tankcannot be refilled, to form the single use, disposable vaping andaromatherapy infuser as the vaporizer 50 especially suitable forbotanical extracts such as cannabinoids, which are expensive and oftenbetter suited for use with a single use and disposable vaporizer. Thetank cap 60 includes an air slot that works in conjunction with slotswithin the vaporizer as explained in greater detail below relative toFIGS. 6-9 and FIGS. 13-15.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exploded assembly view of an example of thevaporizer 50 of FIG. 1 is illustrated and shows the cylindrical base 64,coil support tube 68, tank cap 60 and drip tip 70 as its four majorcomponents. Also illustrated in this example are the heating coil 84 andcylindrical porous wick 86, the plug 82, a first O-ring 90, a secondO-ring 92, and the contact pin 54 and a contact pin retainer 94 formedin this example as an insulator. The drip tip 70, tank cap 60, coilsupport tube 68 and cylindrical base 64 may all be formed from injectionmolded plastic such as polycarbonate or polyethylene tereththalate (PETand sometimes PETE) and other plastic materials that withstand thedegrading and corrosive effects of botanical extracts such ascannabinoids and other vaping fluids and provide heat resistance for thehigher heat imparted by the heating coil when it is energized from thebattery 38 contained in the housing 34. The plastic components can bemade from colored or clear plastic, allowing users to view the internalcomponents if clear plastic, and permitting a user to view better thelevel of vaping fluid or botanical extract and when it is used or halfused, and how much is left in the sealed fluid tank.

The cylindrical base 64 includes an outer surface 100 (FIGS. 6 and 7)and a conical upper surface 102 (FIGS. 6 and 13) defining an angled tankfloor of the sealed fluid tank 71. The cylindrical base 64 has a centralorifice 104 (FIG. 6) and at least one first air slot 106 extending fromthe outer surface 100 into the central orifice 104 below the angled tankfloor 102 and in this example, two opposing air slots 180° apart formingthese first air slots. A circumferential groove 108 (FIG. 7) is formedaround the outer surface 100 or periphery near the upper section of thecylindrical base 64 and receives the second O-ring 92 acting as a sealbetween the cylindrical base and tank cap 60 to help seal the two andprevent vaping fluid or botanical extract leakage. The cylindrical base64 includes an enlarged circular or peripheral ridge 110 at its bottomsection on which the lower peripheral edge 112 of the tank cap 60 rests.Two opposing tabs 114 are formed at the medial section of thecylindrical base 64 on its outer surface 100 to receive in a snap-fitconnection, the tank cap (FIG. 14), by having the tabs 114 engage anotch 116 on the inside surface of the tank cap 60.

The bottom of the cylindrical base 64 may include manufacturing logos orindentations or other decorative features (FIG. 8) that may also helpstand the vaporizer on its end and retain a grip to the surface. This isadvantageous if a user wants to limit their use of the vaporizer for awhile, and let it rest on its base. Hot vaping fluid could possible leakfrom the vaporizer if it is laid on its side in some cases. Also, it mayroll if laid on its side depending on configuration. As shown in thefront elevation in FIG. 7, the first air slots 106, in an example, maybe cut out slightly and formed similar to a notch.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated the coil support tube 68that is configured to be received within the central orifice 104 of thecylindrical base 64. The coil support tube 68 includes a lower end 120that extends below the cylindrical base 64 when connected thereto andconfigured as the connector 52 that connects to the battery housing suchas the “mod” housing 34 shown in FIG. 1. In this example, the connector52 is configured as a screw thread connection, and more particularly, a510 connector that connects to a battery housing of a vaping mod device,which in this example is a regulated mod device 34 such as shown inFIG. 1. A contact pin 54 is carried at the connector 52 (FIG. 13) thatcontacts a terminal within the battery housing and is helped to beretained in the connector of the coil support tube via a contact pinretainer 94, which is formed as an insulator in this example. Theretainer 94 may include a slot that engages an internal shoulder of thecoil support tube at the connector.

An upper end 122 of the coil support tube 68 extends above thecylindrical base 64 and forms a central air passage 126 and has at leastone opening 128 formed in the side and positioned adjacent the angledtank floor 102 when received in the cylindrical base as best shown inFIG. 13. In the illustrated example, four openings 128 are arranged at90° from each other in the side of the coil support tube 68. An internalshoulder 130 is formed just below the openings 128 that is configured torest on an internal ledge 132 formed in the side periphery of thecentral orifice 104 so that the coil support tube 68 may be secured ontothe cylindrical base 64. The lower section of the coil support tube 68may have an outer diameter that allows an interference fit between thecoil support tube and central orifice 104 and cylindrical base 64 sothat the coil support tube is retained permanently at the cylindricalbase.

The first O-ring 90 is positioned between the cylindrical base 64 andcoil support tube 68 to prevent leakage of vaping fluids or otherbotanical extract therebetween. A second air slot 134 (FIG. 9) is formedbelow the level of the angled tank floor 102 within the coil supporttube 68 when fixed within the cylindrical base 64 and communicates withthe at least first air slot 106 in the cylindrical base. In the exampleshown in FIGS. 9 and 13, the second air slot 134 is formed as a cutoutnotch with a notch positioned on either side of the coil support tube 68to form opposing air slots and aligned with the opposing first air slots106 on the cylindrical base 64. The heating coil 84 is received withinthe coil support tube 68 adjacent the openings 128 and extendsvertically downward slightly, but does not extend below the lowersection of the cylindrical base 64 and the first air slot 106. Acylindrical porous wick 86 surrounds the heating coil 84 and anelectrical lead 140 connects the heating coil 84 and the contact pin 54(FIGS. 13-15). Although a cylindrical porous wick 86 is illustrated, itmay be different configurations.

This arrangement is advantageous because the electrical lead 140 is athin wire connected between the heating coil 84 and the contact pin 54and reduces airflow resistance of air that is drawn into the central airpassage 126 and over the heating coil 84 and into the porous wick 86. Inan example, the porous wick 86 is an organic cotton wick. It is alsopossible to use other materials but it has been found that an organiccotton wick works advantageously with botanical extracts such as derivedfrom cannabis and other products, including THC components,cannabinoids, rosemary, garlic, dandelion, other greens and other healthand nutrient rich botanical extracts. In an example, the heating coil 84is a ceramic heating coil and in an example, a ceramic kanthal wire. Itmay also be a mesh coil in an example.

The tank cap 60 is received over the cylindrical base 64 and sealedthereto in a preferred permanent seal. An example is a snap-fit wherethe tank cap is formed is a closed cylindrical member and includes aninternal notch 116 that receives in a snap-fit the circumferential andperipheral tab or shoulder formed on the outer surface 100 of thecylindrical base 64. A press fit or additional adhesive or other meanscould be used to help seal the tank cap 60 and provide a sealed fluidtank 71. The tank cap 60 encloses the coil support tube 68 as a shellforming the sealed fluid tank 71 for holding the vaping fluid, and moreparticularly, a botanical extract. The second O-ring 92 is positionedbetween the cylindrical base 64 and the tank cap 60 to prevent leakageof the vaping fluid, e.g., the botanical extract between the twomembers. The tank cap 60 has at least one third air slot 142 (FIGS. 1-3and 13) formed at a level below the angled tank floor 102 andcommunicates with the at least first and second air slots 106, 134. Inthe example, opposing third air slots 142 are formed 180° apart oneither side of the tank cap 60 and communicate with the opposing firstand second air slots 106, 134 that are aligned with the third air slot.

As noted before, the tank cap 60 has its substantially planar uppersurface 72 and the central vapor outlet 74 formed as an outlet tube 78having its upper end extending from the upper surface and its lower endthat connects to the upper end of the coil support tube 68. Theconfiguration or diameter in this example of the lower end of the outlettube 78 is configured to fit within the upper end of the coil supporttube 68 in a sealed engagement. The upper end of the coil support tube68 could be different configurations and shapes. When air is drawn inthrough the first, second and third air slots 106, 134 and 142 byvacuum, such as when a user draws on the upper end at the vapor outlet74 via the drip tip 70, air is drawn through the at least first, secondand third air slots upward into the coil support tube 68 through thecylindrical porous wick 86, thus drawing vaping fluid or the botanicalextract contained within the sealed fluid tank 71 through the at leastone opening 128 in the coil support tube into the cylindrical porouswick 86 for vaporization by the heating coil 84 and discharge from theoutlet tube 78 within the tank cap 60. In this process, the angled tankfloor 102 is configured to assist gravity feeding of the vaping fluidfrom the sealed fluid tank 71 to the porous wick adjacent the heatingcoil to transfer heat to the vaping fluid or botanical extract.

As noted before, preferably four openings 128 are illustrated andpositioned in the illustrated example about 900 apart from each other.The diameter of the openings may vary depending on the viscosity of thevaping fluid or botanical extract. A more viscous vaping fluid orbotanical extract may require a larger diameter opening 128 to aid inpassing from the sealed fluid tank 71 into the porous wick 86. Forexample, the openings could range in diameter from about 0.5 mm up toabout 5.0 mm. Representative examples of different sized openingsinclude 1.5 mm, 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3.0 mm. Users may selectdifferent vaporizers 50 having different sized diameter openings 128depending on their selected vaping fluid or botanical extract and itsviscosity.

The sealed fluid tank 71 is filled initially, preferably one time onlywhen a botanical extract is used and the drip tip is permanently sealed,through the fill hole 80 filling the sealed fluid tank with the vaporfluid or botanical extract. The plug 82 is secured into the fill hole.The plug 82 as shown in FIG. 10 is a rubber plug that includes ashoulder extension 82 a that retains the plug onto the tank cap 60 andthe enlarged plug section 82 b with a grip extending upward from theplug and bottom section, which is secured within the fill hole.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 13-15, the drip tip 70 is secured onto thetank cap 60 and covers the plug 82. In an example, the drip tip 70 issecured onto the tank cap 60 so that it cannot be removed, and thus,forming in an example a single use, disposable vaporizer 50 thatoperates as a vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser for expensivebotanical extracts. The vaporizer 50 may be discarded once all thebotanical extract has been drawn into the wick 86 and the sealed fluidtank 71 is empty. The drip tip 70 may be permanently secured onto thetank cap 60 by different means, including, but not limited to, asnap-on, spin weld, adhesive bond or press fit securement so that it isretained and cannot be removed by a user, thus forming a single use,disposable vaporizer 50. The drip tip 70 as shown in the example ofFIGS. 11 and 12 includes a central cylindrical post 70 a that forms aninternal annular ring that is received onto the outlet tube 78 at itsupper end and also receives the upper enlarged section of the plug 82that is dimensioned at its upper portion that can be grasped by a userfor initial filling to fit within and be covered by the drip tip as bestshown in FIGS. 13-15. In an example, the cylindrical post 70 a of thedrip tip 70 is configured to aid retention onto the upper end of theoutlet tube 78 via a snap-fit groove in some examples as shown in FIG.4.

As noted before, the angled tank floor 102 is configured to assistgravity feeding of a viscous vaping fluid such as the more viscousbotanical extract from the sealed fluid tank 71 to the porous wick 86and ensure vaping fluid is readily transferred adjacent to the heatingcoil 84 and help transfer heat to the botanical extract and thin it.When the sealed fluid tank 71 is filled with the vaping fluid, itpreferably creates a low pressure air pocket that retains the vapingfluid within the sealed fluid tank 71 until a user draws air through thecentral air passage formed by the upper end of the coil support tube 68and outlet tube of the tank cap 60 to allow vaping fluid to flow intothe porous wick 86 and central air passage. Drawing air creates a lowerair pressure than the lower pressure air pocket in the sealed fluid tank71.

In an example, the sealed fluid tank 71 may vary in its capacitydepending on the dimensions used to manufacture the differentcomponents, but in one example has a capacity of 0.3 milliliters to 8.0milliliters, and in one preferred embodiment, is about 1.0 to 5.0milliliters and examples may include a sealed fluid tank 71 having 2.0milliliter capacity and in another example 4.0 milliliters capacity.Because of the use of the botanical extracts, the heating coil 84 ispreferably a ceramic heating coil, and more particularly, a ceramickanthal heating coil having a resistance ranging from 0.11 to 2.10 ohms,and in one example, a sub ohm heating coil of about 0.60 ohms. Thedevice may operate at about 10 to about 100 watts, and in anotherexample, about 30 to about 70 watts.

The fully sealed fluid tank 71 prevents spills and unnecessary userexposure to the vaping fluid or botanical extract. The fully sealedfluid tank 71 also prevents premature oxidation and spoiling ofexpensive vaping fluid such as formed from botanical extracts, includingcannabis products. The drip tip 70 that is retained permanently bydifferent means, such as by snap-on, spin welding, adhesive bonding orpress fit, as non-limiting examples, serves as a secondary closure forthe plug 82. The trapped air pocket that is created by the sealed fluidtank 71 as a fluid reservoir creates a low pressure pocket that retainsthe vaping fluid or botanical extract within the fluid tank until theuser induces what is in an example a Bernoulli effect by drawing airthrough the central air passage, creating a lower pressure in the airpassage than the pressure in the trapped air pocket to draw the fluidout into the porous wick material.

The angled tank floor 102 ensures that the gravity assisted feeding ofthe vaping fluid such as the botanical extract to the porous wick 86will ensure that every drop of vaping fluid or botanical extract travelsto the porous wick to be heated and vaporized and ensures that theporous wick is properly wetted during use. With this design, more vapingfluid such as the botanical extract is moved close to the heat source,i.e., the heating coil 84 as possible, to transfer heat from the heatingcoil 84 to the vaping fluid or botanical extract, thereby thinning thevaping fluid and especially a botanical extract in its preferred use,for better flow and feeding of the botanical extract to the porous wick86. The heating coil 84 should be understood to also refer to a meshheating element and not necessarily formed as a standard coil, but stillconsidered a heating coil. The use of the ceramic resistive heatingelement as a heating coil allows heating to a proper temperature and theelectrical lead 140 or wire connection from the heating coil 84 to thecontact pin 54 minimizes the material in the air flow path to allow forlarger, unrestricted air flow into the porous wick and heating coil. Useof inexpensive injection molded plastics for the primary components asdescribed above allows for lower unit per unit cost and permits a bettersingle use disposable product whereas the traditional metal assembliesand glass assemblies are cost prohibitive. The 510 connection as thethreaded connector 52 is integrated into the vaporizer 50 and allows theintegration with existing vapor products and battery housings alreadywidely used in the market.

The example of the vaporizer shown in FIGS. 1-15 has about a 2milliliter fluid tank. A second aspect of the vaporizer 50 is shown inFIGS. 16-18 where the sealed fluid tank is slightly larger at 4milliliters and the tank cap 60 is formed in multiple sections, and asillustrated, as an upper section 60 a and a lower section 60 b, whichretains the upper section against the cylindrical base 64 as shown inthe sectional view of FIG. 18. This lower section may contain the thirdair slot 142 as illustrated. The lower section may snap-fit onto thecylindrical base. The upper section of the cylindrical base may includea circumferential slot having a reduced diameter than the lower sectionso that a lower extension of the tank cap is received within aperipheral or annular groove formed between the lower section and thecylindrical base. A different type of heating element as a heating coilmay be used in this example as a mesh element or mesh coil instead of aceramic coil as in the example of FIGS. 1-15. The coil support tube 68may also be formed of multiple sections, including lower and upper tubesections 68 a, 68 b. The sealed tank 71 is vertically higher than thatillustrated in FIGS. 1-15, allowing a 4 millimeter capacity instead of 2millimeter capacity. The tank size can vary. Otherwise the componentsare substantially the same except for minor decorative features.

The kanthal ceramic coil is preferred for use with botanical extracts,but different types of heating coils “vape wires” may be used, includingKanthal (FeCrAl) derivatives, Nichrome, stainless steel, nickel, andtitanium. Stainless steel is considered by many to be the mostversatile. Different grades of stainless steel wire may be used. Themost popular gauges for the wire are 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, and 22. Thetype of wicking material can vary and preferably includes the organiccotton for the use with botanical extracts, but in some cases, Japanesecotton pads, ekowool, silica, and rayon fiber may possibly be used.

Referring now to FIG. 19, another aspect of the vaporizer 50 is shown. Amoveable band or collar 150, such as a circumferential band slidable ina circumferential slot 152 formed on the periphery of the tank cap 60,is slidable over the third air slot 142. The band or collar 150 includesan opening 154 that can be slid over the third air slot 142 and acts toregulate the amount of air that can be drawn inward through thevaporizer. Details of the vaporizer 50 may be laser printed onto theside of the tank cap 60 to help identify the type of components. Thisinformation could include the fluid tank capacity, the type of heatingcoil, the ohm rating of the heating coil, and wattage rating todetermine a preferred range. Other details could include the nature ofthe vaping fluid or botanical extract contained within the fluid tank71, especially relevant when the fluid tank is permanently sealed. It isalso possible to include a level indicator 160 that may give a fill lineor indication of how much vaping fluid or botanical extract remains inthe fluid tank 71. It could be advantageous to know for sure thevaporizer 50 may be discarded when it is a sealed fluid tank 71 or howmuch vaping fluid or botanical extract is left, and thus, anothervaporizer 71 must be reordered, especially if the fluid tank is sealed,such as with a botanical extract that must be reordered when used formedicinal purposes.

The components forming the vaporizer may have different dimensions, buttypically may range in size by up to about 20% to 30% of an averagesize. For example, the tank cap 60 can vary in size and average about 24mm in diameter and range from about 15 mm to about 30 mm and have avertical height from about 20 mm to 50 mm, depending on the capacity ofthe sealed tank 71. Other sizes are possible. The drip tip is usuallyabout 18.5 mm average in diameter, but can range in size from about 10mm to 25 mm, and can be different configurations. Other sizes arepossible.

The cylindrical base 64 can average about 24 mm diameter at the ridge110 and about 22.0 mm at the outer surface 100. These values can vary upto 20% to 40% in some examples or more. The coil support tube 68 canaverage about 10.5 mm diameter at the upper section and its air slotscould be about 0.5 to 5.0 mm. The vertical height from the connector tothe uppermost section could be about 20 mm as an average. The openingsin its side could be about 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm diameter as noted before.The air slots are typically rectangular configured as illustrated, butcould be many different configurations.

These are all example dimensions only and can vary as determined bythose skilled in the art based on fluid tank capacity, the types ofheating coils, wicks, and other design features.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tothe mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to belimited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that themodifications and embodiments are intended to be included within thescope of the dependent claims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser,comprising: a base having an outer surface and upper surface defining anangled tank floor, said base having a central orifice and at least onefirst air slot extending from the outer surface into the central orificebelow the angled tank floor; a coil support member received within thecentral orifice of the base and having a lower end extending below thebase, and an upper end extending above the base and forming a centralair passage, said coil support member having at least one opening formedin the side adjacent the angled tank floor and at least a second airslot below the angled tank floor and communicating with the at leastfirst air slot in said base and configured to receive a heating coil andwick; and a tank cap received over the base and enclosing the coilsupport member as a shell forming a fluid tank for holding vaping fluid,said tank cap having at least one third air slot formed below the angledtank floor and communicating with the at least one first and second airslots, and said tank cap having a vapor outlet communicating with theupper end of the coil support member.
 2. The vaporizer and aromatherapydiffuser according to claim 1, wherein said vaping fluid comprises abotanical extract.
 3. The vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser accordingto claim 1, wherein said angled tank floor is configured to assistgravity feeding of said vaping fluid from the fluid tank to a wick andadjacent a heating coil to transfer heat to the vaping fluid.
 4. Thevaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser according to claim 1, wherein saidtank cap includes an upper surface having a fill hole configured toreceive vaping fluid to fill the fluid tank and a plug secured into saidfill hole.
 5. The vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser according to claim4, further comprising a drip tip secured onto the tank cap and coveringsaid plug to prevent refill of said sealed fluid tank with a vapingfluid.
 6. The vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser according to claim 5,wherein said drip tip comprises a permanent securement onto the tankcap.
 7. The vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser according to claim 1,wherein said fluid tank has a capacity of 0.3 milliliters to 8.0milliliters.
 8. The vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser according toclaim 1, further comprising an O-ring between said base and tank cap toprevent leakage of vaping fluid therebetween.
 9. The vaporizer andaromatherapy diffuser according to claim 1, further comprising an O-ringbetween said base and coil support member to prevent leakage of vapingfluid therebetween.
 10. The vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuseraccording to claim 1, wherein said fluid tank when filled with a vapingfluid creates a low pressure air pocket that retains the vaping fluidwithin the fluid tank until a user draws air through the central airpassage formed by said upper end of the coil support member and vaporoutlet of said tank cap to create a lower air pressure in the centralair passage than in the fluid tank and allow vaping fluid to flow intothe wick.
 11. The vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser according to claim1, wherein said tank cap comprises multiple sections, including an uppersection and a lower section.
 12. The vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuseraccording to claim 1, wherein the coil support member comprises multiplesections, including upper and lower sections.
 13. A vaporizer andaromatherapy diffuser for botanical extracts, comprising: a base havingan outer surface and an upper surface defining an angled tank floor,said base having a central orifice and at least one first air slotextending from the outer surface into the central orifice below theangled tank floor; a coil support member received within the centralorifice of the base and having a lower end extending below the base andconfigured as a connector to connect to a battery housing, and an upperend extending above the base and forming a central air passage, saidcoil support member having at least one opening formed in the sideadjacent the angled tank floor and at least a second air slot below theangled tank floor and communicating with the at least first air slot insaid cylindrical base; a ceramic or mesh heating coil received withinthe coil support member adjacent the at least one opening, and a wicksurrounding the ceramic or mesh heating coil; a tank cap received overthe base and sealed thereto and enclosing the coil support member as ashell forming a sealed fluid tank for holding the botanical extract,said tank cap having at least one third air slot formed below the angledtank floor and communicating with the at least one first and second airslots, said tank cap having a vapor outlet communicating with the upperend of the coil support member; said tank cap including an upper surfacehaving a fill hole and a plug secured into said fill hole; and a driptip secured onto the tank cap and covering the plug secured within thefill hole.
 14. The vaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser according toclaim 13, wherein said angled tank floor is configured to assist gravityfeeding of said botanical extract from the sealed fluid tank to the wickand adjacent the ceramic or mesh heating coil to transfer heat to thebotanical extract and thin the botanical extract.
 15. The vaporizer andaromatherapy diffuser according to claim 13, further comprising a 510connector at the lower end of the coil support member and in electricalcommunication with the ceramic or mesh heating coil.
 16. The vaporizerand aromatherapy diffuser according to claim 13, further comprising anO-ring positioned between said base and tank cap to prevent leakage ofbotanical extract therebetween.
 17. The vaporizer and aromatherapydiffuser according to claim 13, further comprising an O-ring positionedbetween said base and coil support member to prevent leakage ofbotanical extract therebetween.
 18. The vaporizer and aromatherapydiffuser according to claim 13, wherein said fluid tank when filled witha botanical extract creates a low pressure air pocket that retains thebotanical extract within the fluid tank until a user draws air throughthe central air passage formed by said upper end of the coil supportmember and vapor outlet of said tank cap to create a lower air pressurein the central passage than in the sealed fluid tank and allow botanicalextract to flow into the wick and central air passage.
 19. The vaporizerand aromatherapy diffuser according to claim 13, wherein said drip tipcomprises a permanent securement onto the tank cap.
 20. The vaporizerand aromatherapy diffuser according to claim 13, wherein the tank capcomprises multiple sections, including an upper section and a lowersection, wherein the lower section retains the upper section against thebase, said lower section having the at least one third air slot.
 21. Thevaporizer and aromatherapy diffuser according to claim 13, wherein thecoil support member comprises multiple sections, including an upper andlower section.